“Douglas Allen of Hornchurch are one of 3 agents that I ......”
1 Star Review
Sep 05,2011
By:
'Pete'
Sep 05,2011
Branch: Hornchurch, 133A High Street
Services: Sales (Prospective customer)
Would you recommend?: No
Postcode:
Branch: Hornchurch, 133A High Street
Sales (Prospective customer)
Postcode:
6
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Douglas Allen of Hornchurch are one of 3 agents that I asked to value my daughters home with a view to selling it through one of them. The other 2 agents provided a valuation based on comparable properties, lists of which they brought with them, and have phoned me several times trying to persuade me by offering inducements, such as lower commission, to use their services. By contrast Dougls Allen did not bring along any comparables, saying the office computer was down, but nevertheless promised to phone me from home that evening or the next day at the latest. I had just redocorated the whole house except for 2 bedrooms, another few days work. It has a fairly new kitchen and bathroom and was in immaculate condition a week later when I had finished the painting. The representative from Douglas Allen did not even view all of the property, missing the large side garden that may be suitable for an extension. Neither did she offer a valuation but spent some time explaning that they had a client who bought properties that needed work doing, then did them up to sell or rent out. I said that I would be a fool to consider selling to a developer and would prefer to get a fair market price when the painting was finished.
I did not receive a call that evening, nor the next day, nor during the next week. So I phoned the manager at the Hornchurch branch to ask if he knew that his representative had tried to get this house on the cheap and to ask for their valuation. He gave me short shift and said I must write to him if I wanted to complain. Instead I tried to email the Managing Director, Paul Rooney of Arun Estates, of whom Douglas Allen is a part. Arun Estates first gave me the wrong email address and then instead of passing my complaint to Mr Rooney they sent me a complaints form by email in a format that I couldnot download. This is when I decided that they are not interested in my complaint and That I would leave them this negative feedback.
I am an experienced buyer and vendor having bought and sold at least 10 houses and have never come across an estate agent with such a bad attitude, that appears to extend all the way to the top. Buying and selling is stressful enough without having to deal with these sort of people.
Beware of these people. I would never ever ask an agent from this group for a valuation, nor buy a property that they advertised for sale. Thankfully there are other reputable agents whom I can rely on in the future.
What agent could do to change your mind?
They should have just provided a valuation in accordance with the agreement we had made, and not tried to obtain this house on the cheap.
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